Suns welcome Sixers to the desert

(Sports Network) - The Phoenix Suns will try to snap a six-game losing streak
on Wednesday night when they host the road-weary Philadelphia 76ers at US
Airways Center.

The Suns haven't tasted victory since a home win over the Charlotte Bobcats on
Dec. 19. Four of the six losses during this recent slide came on the road, but
they return home Wednesday night, where they play three in a row and have a
9-7 record.

The most recent setback came Monday night. It was not a happy New Year's Eve
for the Suns, who fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 114-96, in Oklahoma City.

Luis Scola led the way for Phoenix with 24 points and Marcin Gortat had a
double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Goran Dragic and Jermaine
O'Neal were the other Suns in double-digits.

This was a close game until late when the Thunder outscored the Suns, 30-18,
in the fourth quarter.

"I thought we played hard and competed like crazy out there," said Phoenix
head coach Alvin Gentry. "When we came out in the second half a little bit
flat, we still were able to get back into the game, but just didn't have
enough gas to finish it off."

What's left in the gas tank might be a concern for the Sixers. This is game
six of an eight-game road trip and Philadelphia is 2-3 so far on the western
sojourn.

The Sixers picked up their second win of the trip on Tuesday when they toppled
the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-99. The New Year's Day win marked the first time
the 76ers scored over 100 points since a Dec. 19 blowout loss to the Houston
Rockets.

Jrue Holiday led the Sixers in his homecoming in L.A. He scored 26 points and
handed out 10 assists. Evan Turner had a great overall game with 22 points, 13
rebounds and five assists.

The Sixers took an eight-point lead into the final quarter and nearly
squandered it. The Lakers made some mistakes late as well, but head coach Doug
Collins will certainly take the victory.

"We dodged it at the end," acknowledged Collins. "We missed four free throws
and took a quick 3 when we should have used the clock. It's a learning
experience, to say the least, but it's a great win for our team to start the
New Year."

Spencer Hawes and Dorell Wright both scored double-digits off the Sixers
bench.

The Sixers beat the Suns, 104-101, on Nov. 25. Philadelphia has won the last
four in this matchup, including two victories in Phoenix.